The impact of environmental factors on personal hygiene

source

There is no special introduction into the fact that cleanliness is an important factor in preventing diseases and, in general, human health.

In this perspective, environmental factors are considered to have a direct influence on the level of personal hygiene, for it is often the case that some factors encourage an individual or deter them to practice good hygiene.

Environmental conditions that may influence personal cleanliness is water, particularly clean water. Clean water is useful for washing hands, washing the body, and washing clothes and other accessories such as bed sheets among them.

On the other hand, if a region is characterized by few sources of clean water, people are bound to be dirty, and as such exposed to diseases. For instance, in the areas that there is little availability of the clean and safe water, people are unable to wash hands after defecation and before using the same hand to take foods, hence enhanced vulnerability to diseases such as diarrhoea.

The other environmental influence which plays a role in personal hygiene is availability of sanitation amenities. Toilets and Sewage systems are other important facilities that should be in place to ensure that people practice proper hygiene and avoid contracting diseases.

Where proper sanitation facilities are not available, people may have to resort to practicinghai, which pollutes the environment and causes the spread of diseases.

Lastly, poor drainage also has an impact on personal hygiene since people cannot wash themselves properly after defecation thus exposing themselves to diseases. This means that, besides clean water and good sanitation facilities, personal hygiene will also depend on such factors as the cleanliness of the surrounding.

Littering and inadequate control over waste disposal on the environment may lead to build up of pathogens hence causing the spread of infectious diseases. For instance, garbage and sewage if it is not well disposed can attract rodents and insects that can cause diseases to human beings.

Another effect of lack of environment hygiene is pollutions of water sources, and in most cases populations do not have accessto clean water to use on personal hygiene actions. In the same way, the use of soaps, toothpaste, and other sanitary products can also influence personal cleanliness.

Consequently, if these people cannot afford or cannot access these products, they stand a high chance of not being able to wash or bathe as is necessary. For instance, if people don't wash their hands with soap that they cannot afford, they will easily get diseases.

Likewise, people who cannot access sanitary wears may be left with no option than making do with unclean ones which increases chances of infections.
In conclusion, environmental factors have a great influence on personal hygiene since they act either as promoters or barriers to hygiene practices.

The communities need access to clean water, sanitation facilities for proper washing and hygiene products to practice proper hygiene to avert the diseases. Thus, the governments and organizations have to consider such environmental factors in order to enhance the necessities of good personal hygiene and health.

Posted Using InLeo Alpha